Plan your holiday season with our itinerary guide for Belfast. Discover all the top festive events. Whether Belfast is your everyday backdrop or your dream destination, our guide brings festive dreams to life.
Experience the magic of the Belfast Christmas Market, where shoppers can explore delightful stalls filled with holiday treats and crafts. Revel in the joyous performances at The MAC Christmas Shows, featuring captivating stories and enchanting displays. And don’t forget the festive celebrations at The SSE Arena Christmas Events, offering a range of entertainment for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Belfast
- Belfast Christmas Market
- The MAC Christmas Shows
- The SSE Arena Christmas Events
- Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Winter Circus
- Victoria Square Santa’s Grotto
- Christmas Extravaganza at Titanic Belfast
- Lyric Theatre Christmas Productions
- St. George's Market Festive Fun
- Christmas at Belfast Castle
Belfast Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
City-wide celebration marking the start of the holiday season
Description:
Belfast ignites with holiday spirit during the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event. The city center bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors as thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the streets. This beloved tradition brings together locals and visitors for a night of community celebration. Enjoy live performances from local choirs and musicians leading up to the grand switch-on moment. The event has evolved since its inception, now incorporating eco-friendly LED lights to create a sustainable spectacle that honors Belfast's commitment to environmental consciousness.
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Belfast Holiday Markets and Shopping
Belfast Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Continental-style market with international vendors
Description:
Belfast's City Hall transforms into a bustling continental-style Christmas market, bringing a slice of European tradition to Northern Ireland. Stroll through rows of wooden chalets offering handcrafted gifts, artisanal foods, and unique decorations from across Europe. The aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fills the air as you explore. Try your hand at ice skating on the outdoor rink, a popular addition to the market. This event, inspired by traditional German Christmas markets, has been a Belfast staple since 2004, growing in size and popularity each year.
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St. George's Market Festive Fun
What to Expect:
Historic market transformed into a holiday bazaar
Description:
St. George's Market, Belfast's last surviving Victorian covered market, buzzes with festive energy during its holiday events. The 19th-century building comes alive with the sounds of local musicians performing seasonal tunes. Browse stalls overflowing with artisanal gifts, locally-produced foods, and unique Christmas decorations. Sample traditional Irish Christmas dishes prepared by local chefs. This market, dating back to 1890, offers a glimpse into Belfast's rich commercial history while supporting local producers and artisans in the present day.
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St. George's Market Festive Fun
Belfast Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The MAC Christmas Shows
What to Expect:
Contemporary arts venue hosting diverse Christmas performances
Description:
The MAC, Belfast's cutting-edge arts venue, elevates the holiday season with its innovative Christmas shows. This cultural hub presents a diverse lineup of performances, from avant-garde theater to family-friendly productions. Immerse yourself in a contemporary retelling of classic Christmas tales or witness boundary-pushing seasonal art installations. You can participate in interactive workshops led by local artists, exploring festive themes through various mediums. The MAC, opened in 2012, has quickly become a cornerstone of Belfast's artistic renaissance, offering a fresh perspective on holiday entertainment.
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The SSE Arena Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Large-scale Christmas concerts and performances in a world-class arena
Description:
The SSE Arena, Belfast's premier entertainment venue, hosts spectacular Christmas events that dazzle audiences. This world-class arena transforms into a winter entertainment hub, featuring chart-topping artists performing holiday classics and contemporary hits. The state-of-the-art sound system envelops you in crystal-clear melodies. Experience a high-energy ice show combining figure skating and acrobatics. Formerly known as the Odyssey Arena, this venue has been at the heart of Belfast's entertainment scene since 2000, hosting some of the biggest names in music and sports.
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The SSE Arena Christmas Events
Winter Circus
What to Expect:
Contemporary circus performances with a winter theme
Description:
Belfast's Winter Circus invigorates the holiday season with breathtaking acrobatics and mesmerizing performances. This modern take on the traditional circus showcases international talent, blending cutting-edge techniques with winter-themed artistry. Gasp as aerialists soar above, defying gravity in routines inspired by snowflakes and icicles. You can learn circus skills in pre-show workshops, trying your hand at juggling or plate spinning. The Winter Circus, a relatively new addition to Belfast's holiday calendar, pays homage to the city's rich history of variety entertainment dating back to the Victorian era.
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Lyric Theatre Christmas Productions
What to Expect:
High-quality, locally-produced Christmas theater performances
Description:
The Lyric Theatre's Christmas productions showcase the best of Belfast's theatrical talent. This esteemed venue presents a mix of classic holiday tales and original works, all infused with local flavor. Witness skilled actors bring Christmas stories to life on stage, accompanied by live music from local musicians. You can attend a pre-show talk to gain insights into the production process. The Lyric, founded in 1951 and rebuilt in 2011, has long been a nurturing ground for Northern Irish playwrights and actors, continuing this tradition through its holiday offerings.
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Lyric Theatre Christmas Productions
Belfast Waterfront Pantomime
What to Expect:
Large-scale, professional pantomime production
Description:
The Belfast Waterfront hosts a spectacular pantomime that brings British theatrical tradition to life. This professional production features elaborate sets, dazzling costumes, and a star-studded cast performing a beloved fairy tale with a comedic twist. The show incorporates local humor and references, creating a uniquely Belfast experience. You can join in the fun with audience participation moments throughout the performance. The Waterfront Hall, opened in 1997, has become a symbol of Belfast's cultural rejuvenation, and its annual pantomime continues this legacy of bringing world-class entertainment to the city.
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Belfast Other Holiday Activities
Victoria Square Santa’s Grotto
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa experience in a modern shopping center
Description:
Victoria Square's Santa's Grotto offers a contemporary twist on meeting Father Christmas. Set in Belfast's premier shopping destination, this grotto combines retail therapy with holiday cheer. Children embark on an elf-guided journey through a winter forest, leading to a personal audience with Santa in his modern workshop. Capture the moment with a professional photo and receive a special gift. Victoria Square, opened in 2008, has quickly become a focal point for Belfast's urban regeneration, blending commerce with community engagement during the holiday season.
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Victoria Square Santa’s Grotto
Christmas Extravaganza at Titanic Belfast
What to Expect:
Maritime-themed Christmas celebration at a world-famous museum
Description:
Titanic Belfast's Christmas Extravaganza infuses maritime history with holiday cheer. This iconic museum, shaped like the ill-fated ship's prow, hosts a unique celebration that honors Belfast's shipbuilding legacy. Explore galleries adorned with nautical-themed decorations and participate in Titanic-inspired Christmas crafts. The centerpiece is a towering Christmas tree decorated with miniature ships and anchors. Titanic Belfast, opened in 2012 on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard, offers a poignant reminder of the city's industrial past while embracing its future as a cultural destination.
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Christmas Extravaganza at Titanic Belfast
Christmas at Belfast Castle
What to Expect:
Medieval-inspired Christmas celebrations in a historic castle
Description:
Belfast Castle opens its doors for a regal Christmas experience steeped in history. The 19th-century Scottish baronial-style castle, perched on the slopes of Cave Hill, offers panoramic views of the city adorned in holiday lights. Explore lavishly decorated rooms that showcase different Christmas traditions through the ages. Participate in a medieval-inspired feast complete with period entertainment. Belfast Castle, built in 1870, stands as a testament to the city's aristocratic past and now serves as a unique venue for celebrating the holidays with a historical twist.
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W5 Interactive Science and Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Science-themed Christmas activities and exhibits
Description:
W5, Belfast's interactive science center, fuses education with holiday fun during its Christmas events. This innovative venue presents exhibits that explore the science behind winter phenomena and holiday traditions. Conduct experiments to create artificial snow or learn about the physics of Santa's sleigh flight. You can build and program robotic Christmas decorations in special workshops. W5, opened in 2001 as part of the Odyssey complex, continues to inspire curiosity and learning, even during the holiday season, reflecting Belfast's commitment to science and technology education.
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W5 Interactive Science and Christmas Events
Crumlin Road Gaol Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Holiday events in a former Victorian-era prison
Description:
Crumlin Road Gaol, a former Victorian-era prison, offers an unconventional Christmas experience steeped in history. The imposing 19th-century building hosts guided tours that blend holiday cheer with tales of its past inhabitants. Explore cell blocks adorned with Christmas decorations and learn about how prisoners celebrated the holidays. Participate in a Victorian-style Christmas dinner in the former prison governor's house. This venue, operational as a prison from 1846 to 1996, now serves as a unique cultural attraction, offering a glimpse into Belfast's complex social history during the festive season.
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Crumlin Road Gaol Christmas Events